Manchester City have unveiled multi-million pound plans to expand their empire further – by adding up to 12,000 seats to the Etihad Stadium.

Club bosses say demand is soaring, with the ground more than 99 per cent full last season.

From today, Blues fans are being asked their views on the radical expansion plans, which could create the third biggest Premier League ground after the Emirates and Old Trafford.

The south stand would be boosted by 6,000 seats, including an extra 600 for away fans.

Depending on reaction and ticket sales next season, the north end could also be expanded by the same number, taking capacity to 60,000.

The move would also create more cut-price £300 season tickets although more than one in three will be a new type of ‘premium’ seat.

City chiefs aim to submit a planning application by the end of the year, with a view to starting work next April. Building would be complete by the start of the 2015 season.

Pete Bradshaw, the club’s head of infrastructure, said the expanded ground, alongside the £120m Etihad campus being built next door, would create a ‘world stage of football’.

He added: “It’s an honest consultation with anybody with an interest in where we are going.”

Bosses believe there is demand for expansion at the ground’s south end, moving it outwards by 16m and creating extra third tier seats. Some 2,400 would be new ‘premium’ seating with a new concourse, bar and upgraded hospitality.